Seat pan for an aircraft

Abstract

An example seat pan for an aircraft includes a first portion having a first end and a second portion that is adjacent to the first portion and is adjustable to be in a first position in which the second portion forms a seating surface together with the first portion, the seating surface having a width that is wider than a width of the first end of the first portion. The second portion is adjustable to alternatively be in a second position in which the first end of the first portion extends beyond the second portion to be insertable into a footwell.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A seat pan for an aircraft, the seat pan comprising:
 a first portion having a first end; and 
 a second portion that is adjacent to the first portion and is adjustable to be in a first position in which the second portion forms a seating surface together with the first portion, the seating surface having a width that is wider than a width of the first end of the first portion, wherein the second portion is adjustable to alternatively be in a second position in which the first end of the first portion extends beyond the second portion to be insertable into a footwell. 
 
     
     
       2. The seat pan of  claim 1 , wherein the width of the first end of the first portion is substantially equal to a width of the footwell. 
     
     
       3. The seat pan of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion has a second end that is opposite the first end, and wherein a width of the second end k greater than the width of the first end. 
     
     
       4. The seat pan of  claim 3 , wherein an end of the second portion is configured to pivot downward away from the first end of the first portion and toward the second end of the first portion as the second portion is adjusted from the first position to the second position. 
     
     
       5. The seat pan of  claim 4 , further comprising a rod coupled to the first portion, the second portion being configured to pivot about the rod. 
     
     
       6. The seat pan of  claim 3 , wherein the second portion is configured to retract away from the first end of the first portion and toward the second end of the first portion as the second portion is adjusted from the first position to the second position. 
     
     
       7. The seat pan of  claim 1 , wherein a total length of the seat pan having a width that is greater than the width of the first end of the first portion when the second portion kin the first position is greater than a total length of the seat pan having a width that is greater than the width of the first end of the first portion when the second portion is in the second position. 
     
     
       8. The seat pan of  claim 1 , wherein a surface of the second portion that forms the seating surface when the second portion is in the first position is substantially perpendicular to the first portion when the second portion is in the second position. 
     
     
       9. A seating system for an aircraft, the seating system comprising:
 a footwell; and 
 a seat pan comprising: 
 a first portion having a first end; and 
 a second portion that is adjacent to the first portion and is adjustable to be in a first position in which the second portion forms a seating surface together with the first portion, the seating surface having a width that is wider than a width of the footwell, wherein the second portion is adjustable to alternatively be in a second position in which the first end of the first portion extends beyond the second portion to be insertable into the footwell. 
 
     
     
       10. The seating system of  claim 9 , wherein a width of the first end of the first portion is substantially equal to the width of the footwell. 
     
     
       11. The seating system of  claim 9 , wherein the footwell is at least partially enclosed. 
     
     
       12. The seating system of  claim 9 , wherein the footwell extends above and below the first portion. 
     
     
       13. The seating system of  claim 9 , further comprising a facade that defines the footwell, wherein the second portion is configured to abut the facade when the second portion is in the second position. 
     
     
       14. The seating system of  claim 9 , further comprising a platform within the footwell, wherein the first portion is configured to abut the platform and form a laying surface together with the platform when the second portion is in the second position. 
     
     
       15. The seating system of  claim 9 , wherein a total length of the seat pan having a width that is greater than the width of the footwell when the second portion is in the first position is greater than a total length of the seat pan having a width that is greater than the width of the footwell when the second portion is in the second position. 
     
     
       16. The seating system of  claim 9 , further comprising a motorized actuator  302  that is configured to move the second portion from the first position to the second position and from the second position to the first position. 
     
     
       17. The seating system of  claim 9 , further comprising an unpowered actuator that is configured to move the second portion from the first position to the second position and from the second position to the first position. 
     
     
       18. The seating system of  claim 9 , further comprising a seat back, wherein the seat pan is configured such that the seat back forms an obtuse angle with the seating surface when the second portion is in the first position. 
     
     
       19. The seating system of  claim 9 , further comprising a seat back, wherein the seating system is configured such that the seat back is substantially parallel with the first portion when the second portion is in the second position. 
     
     
       20. A seating system for an aircraft, the seating system comprising:
 footwell; 
 a seat back; and 
 a seat pan comprising: 
 a first portion having a first end; and 
 a second portion that is adjacent to the first portion and is adjustable to be in a first position in which the second portion forms a seating surface together with the first portion, the seating surface having a width that is wider than a width of the footwell, wherein the second portion is adjustable to alternatively be in a second position in which the first end of the first portion extends beyond the second portion to be insertable into the footwell, wherein a width of the first end of the first portion is substantially equal to the width of the footwell, and wherein the seating system is configured such that the seat back is substantially parallel with the first portion when the second portion is in the second position.